Work Begins on the Christian F. Martin Boys Hostel

Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico - The President of the Department of Infancy and Families (DIF) Sonora, Lourdes Laborín de Bours laid the first stone for what will be the C. F. Martin Youth Hostel (dormitory), a part of the Casa Hogar Betesda, with the ultimate goal of fostering the dreams and hopes of underprivileged boys.

Accompanied by members of the Board of Directors of Casa Hogar, the resident youth, the Mayor Onésimo Maiscales Delgadillo and his wife Aucelia García de Mariscales, the President of DIF Navojoa, Ms. Laborín de Bours praised the hard work of the Board over the last 8 years, who have dedicated themselves to care for abandoned and impoverished children.

As part of the event, the President of DIF Sonora witnessed the donations of $24,570 USD given by guitar-maker C. F. Martin & Co., Inc. and presented by Mr. Bill Hall to the Board, which is headed by Pedro Barraza and Joaquíin Bours Zaragosa, President and Vice-President respectively.

Laborín de Bours highlighted the determination of the U.S. Company to return to the local society something of what it has gained over the years. She also responded to requests to expedite the applications for adoption and that pending cases would be analyzed quickly.

For her part, García de Mariscales congratulated the Board of Directors of Casa Hogar Betesda, who in a united, selfless and humanitarian effort supported by Loudes Laborín de Bours and companies like C. F. Martin will continue to initiate projects in this organization which is worthy of recognitions.

Casa Hogar Betesda is run by the Sisters of Mercy in conjunction with the Board and a team of volunteers. It was founded in 1999 to house abandoned and impoverished boys with the goal of helping them become better persons and separating them from vices and from the fallout of broken families. In light of the growing number of the boys, Casa Hogar Betesda requires additional space which necessitated the expansion of the center with dormitories, bathrooms, living rooms, gardens and a mental health center to accommodate up to 30 boys.